SPIRIT OF LEEUWIN AWARDS

Last week the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation celebrated its annual Spirit of Leeuwin Awards night; an event that recognises the valued contributions of the many volunteers who dedicate their time, passion and effort to the Foundation over the sailing season. Volunteers and crew who had consistently sailed with us over the past sailing season were invited to the annual awards night which for 2014 was old Hollywood themed. The guests who were all dressed to impress enjoyed the awards presentations which were MCd by Alf the Leeuwin Engineer.

ORDER OF MERIT [SHORT SAILS] - Woodren Bourne

This award recognises a Red Shirt who has volunteered their time on the most number of short sails this season. The recipient of this award is described as a high achiever who picks up new skills quickly, is a splicing prodigy with great attention to detail. They are a very reliable and volunteered on 33 out of 73 short sails last season. 

ORDER OF MERIT [VOYAGES] - Benjamin Errington

This award recognises a Red Shirt who has volunteered their time on the most number of voyages this season.The recipient of this award started volunteering after their trainee voyage in 2012 and it feels like they have been a part of the woodwork ever since. They have completed 16 out of 21 voyages this season. And there have been many times when they have rushed out of the Leeuwin office to ask his uni lecturer for more time off so he can fulfill his real passion; sailing. 

NEW WATCH LEADER AWARD - Tom Richards

This award recognises a newly rated watch-leader for their personal achievements over the past season. The recipient of this award completed their first voyage early in the season and embraced program and sailing Leeuwin from the beginning. They have since completed 4 more voyages and almost 30 short sails this season. They are cheerful and adventurous, a great team player, always enthusiastic and a pleasure to have on board. 

VOLUNTEER ALL ROUNDER AWARD - Mike Stanfield

The Volunteer All Rounder Award recognises an individual who has volunteered their time in a number of different roles over the past season. The recipient of this award is always happy and enthusiastic, eager to learn and willing to pass on their knowledge to other volunteers, they are a passionate sailor who takes time off work to volunteer on voyages and short sails. In the last season they have volunteered on short sails, school sails, charters and on voyages as watch leader and supernumery navi - guesser. 

VOLUNTEER SHORE SUPPORT - Harry Speight

The Volunteer Shore Support Award is presented to an individual who has made a valuable contribution to the smooth running of the shed. The recipient of this award is a fairly new volunteer who has brought invaluable engineering skills and experience to the Foundation. Their workmanship is excellent and they can be relied upon to complete all work to a very high standard. We are grateful for all of their time and effort over the past season, especially during the refit. 

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD - 

The recipient of this award is nominated by their fellow volunteers in recognition of their contribution to the Foundation. This person was nominated for; their hard work during the Monkey Mia voyages, their remarkable positivity and dedication to the foundation, their musical talents keep everyone entertained, the fact they will always put their hand up for duty, even if they have just stepped off a voyage. This person is always happy to teach without patronising. They have done a great job this year and also introduced singing "shanty's" to our rotations (by far the most popular rotation) and has been an all-round nice guy all season.

  

      APPRECIATION AWARD - John Hindle

The first appreciation award is awarded to someone who can be relied on to help out at a moment’s notice. They are easy going, hardworking and their fishing advice is received well by the Bosun and Engineer. 

      APPRECIATION AWARD - Sue Westwood

The next appreciation award goes to a long term volunteer who has completed 67 voyages over the last 14 years. 67 has nothing to do with her age. They are easy to get along with, hardworking and a pleasure to have on board. They are someone we can call upon to fill any place on any voyage. We don’t call her Super Sue for nothing. 

APPRECIATION AWARD - Emma Cooke

The final appreciation award for 2014 goes to someone who is not only a mentor and a teacher, but someone who is a good friend to all crew, volunteers and staff. Not only do they always lighten the mood with their infectious laugh but they are willing to pass on their knowledge and skills of leadership to others. 

SPIRIT OF LEEUWIN INDIVIDUAL AWARD - Peter Graham

The first recipient is someone who is inspiring and always cheerful and enthusiastic. They bond with both trainees and all volunteers brilliantly on every voyage. They are kind and compassionate and dedicated to Foundation’s mission to challenge and inspire young people to reach their personal potential. This extends beyond the trainees and into the volunteer crew where this person is loved by all. I think it is safe to say that everyone here has learnt something from or has been guided by this man.

SPIRIT OF LEEUWIN INDIVIDUAL AWARD - Heather Denham

The second recipient of the Spirit of Leeuwin Individual Award for 2014 is someone who is patient and dedicated to providing each trainee on every voyage with a once in a life time experience. They have the ability to create a safe environment in which trainees thrive.  They are hardworking and energetic on and off the ship and often juggle schedules to fit in just one more voyage. 

SPIRIT OF LEEUWIN ORGANISATION AWARD 

This year, we would like to present the Spirit of Leeuwin Award to four organisations whose contributions and support over the year have seen hundreds of young people who would otherwise never have the opportunity, be able to attend a voyage this season.  They have also supported us through refit with valuable skills and expertise in the form of volunteers.

Navy FSU West – The Navy have supplied over 50 willing volunteers and have helped us out in both the Engineering and Boson departments. We have also had several come on voyages and have all been successful in gaining a rating from EM through to TWL.

Woodside and Minderoo Foundation sponsor youth through scholarship programs to widen access to the Leeuwin's youth development program for those who would otherwise not be able to afford the experience.

Fremantle Port Authority – They provide support in the form of our berth, other essential services and help with the office and shed.

CAPTAINS AWARD - Liam Evans

This is a prestigious annual award chosen by the Captain. This recipient has demonstrated a lot of potential and personal growth over the sailing season. They have a great future ahead of them and is a dedicated volunteer who always wears a smile and is always willing to help.

AUSTA MEDALLION - Benjamin Errington

This Australian Sail Training Association medallion goes to a young person aged between 16-23 years old who has shown outstanding personal achievement while undertaking a voyage.

AUSTA MEDALLION - Angela Lewis

Each year since 2001 AUSTA has awarded personal achievement medallions recognising persons of any age who have shown outstanding personal achievement either on board or in support of the organsiation's vessel.

The Leeuwin Foundation would also like to pay our respects to a volunteer who sadly passed away this year, Mike Swan. Mike volunteered his time and welding expertise over the year. He would bend of backwards to help out and just like any good shed boy he did not mind sitting down and having a chat. He will be sadly missed.

Here are a few snaps from the evening;